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Day Care Service

Innovations are a provider of leisure, learning and employment opportunities for vulnerable adults and has been in operation since April 2003. We work with people to achieve a more independent and worthwhile quality of life, empowering them to accept their right to social inclusion.

We presently have 10 resources throughout County Durham and Sunderland and we aim to provide the highest quality provision for individual development through assisting the people who attend (Service Users) to realise personal aspirations and abilities in all aspects of their lives.

Taster Days

Prior to coming to Innovations, potential service users will
have the opportunity to find out about the different activities we have on
offer and can arrange to have a taster day where they can choose suitable and
appropriate activities. During the initial enquiry stages we will establish the
likes, dislikes and preferred activities of those considering coming to
Innovations. Once an individual commences Innovations they (and their family/carers,
etc) will have the opportunity to express what hobbies & interests they
have when devising their care plan.

Mental Capacity Act

Innovations will always strive to apply the five principles of the Mental Capacity Act when supporting our service users with choices and decision making in accessing our services:

1. Presumption
of Capacity - All
of our service users will be assumed to have capacity to make choices and
decisions unless it is established via a professional assessment that they lack
capacity.

2. Must
offer any practicable support
- We will never treat our service users as unable to make a decision unless all
practicable steps to help them do so have been taken without success

3. Unwise/Lack
of Capacity–
Service users will not be treat as unable to make a decision merely because
they make an unwise decision

4. The
Best Interest Principle–
An act done, or decision made, under this Act for or on behalf of a person who
lacks capacity will be done or made in his/her best interests

5. The
Least Restrictive Principle–
We will always ensure that before the act is done, or the decision made, regard
will be had to whether the purpose for which it is needed can be as effectively
achieved in a way that is less restrictive of the person’s rights and freedoms

During
my two weeks placement I have had the privilege of working alongside staff that
give 100% to their job, showing kindness love and support. The staff know the
Service User likes, dislikes, level of support they need and their little
quirks. You enhance their independence and make them feel like they belong in
this big wide world by giving them the confidence to try new things.

I do believe every person is good at something, it just
takes special people to find it, special people like you. You probably don’t see
it but you all do an amazing job and this shows in the Service Users faces,
they light up when they walk through the door, they are so comfortable in your presence
and they treat the unit as their home.

During my two weeks I have never heard a negative comment
only positivity and encouragement. I even over heard a staff member say, “A
smile means the same in any language and costs nothing”. I just love this and
have used it in my assignment.

I have loved my time at Innovations and would like to say
keep doing what you’re doing and not only changing lives but changing people’s
opinions, raising awareness and breaking Down Barriers.